Campbell honored by home town

Should you take a 25 minute drive northwest of London, Ontario, across highway 7, you’ll notice something different as you approach the village of Ailsa Craig as on all three major roads leading into the municipality from the east, west or south, you’ll be greeted by a huge sign bearing the picture of the harness sport’s only driver to surpass $250 million in career purse earnings, John Campbell.

The unveiling of the new signs was conducted in the village’s recreation center on Saturday, and drew a huge round of applause from the gathering of several hundred of the town’s residents. Because of driving commitments at the Meadowlands on Saturday night, Campbell could not attend, but he did send a recorded message from New Jersey.

“I am so proud of this honor and in all my travels I tell people about my hometown of Ailsa Craig” Campbell said. “This is just exceptional for anyone to be so honored by their hometown this way. I’ll continue to promote our village and it’s famed turtle races in the third weekend of July every year, too. I’m really looking forward to my next trip home to see the signs. It’s also a big honor to be on the same sign as Earl Ross.”

Campbell’s career conquests are chronicled on the new village of Ailsa Craig welcome signs along with stock car driving legend Earl Ross, the NASCAR Winston Cup rookie of the year in 1974, and the only Canadian in history to win a NASCAR major circuit race.

Campbell’s parents, Florence and Jack, stood in for the photo session as the canvas was raised at the commemorative unveiling organized by Ailsa Craig Ward 2 council member Ken Johnston. Also attending were Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association chairman Hector Clouthier and Western Fair Association and Raceway chief operating officer Hugh Mitchell. (Western Fair)

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